Rand Paul Caught Lying on EPA Rules

On Tuesday Sen. Rand Paul gave an interview on Fox News in which he denounced the EPA’s new rules on carbon emissions. In an apparent reference to the failed attempt in 2009 to pass a cap-and-trade bill in the Senate (which had already been passed by the House), to Paul stated,

The Democrats tried to pass [cap and trade] and they didn’t have enough votes so now they’re going to try to do this through executive edict, and I don’t think that’s legal.

[T]he truth is that Congress directed the EPA to tackle air pollution, including carbon, and that authority has been upheld twice by the Supreme Court. Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to develop regulations for “air pollution which may endanger public health or welfare.” In 2007 and again in 2011, the Supreme Court said carbon pollution fits under that category. The 2007 landmark ruling found that “greenhouse gases fit well within the Clean Air Act’s capacious definition of air pollutant.”

Most people aren’t aware of the legislative background mandating these rules. But certainly a prominent Senator should be. For him to suggest that he doesn’t think they are “legal” is dishonest, deceptive, and inexcusable.

We should expect better from the members of Congress.

Photo credit: Harry E. Walker/MCT

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About politspectatorEdward Clayton grew up in the US but has lived in Canada for the last 4 decades. He is a long time peace activist and committed to issues of social justice and good government. He reports on Canadian, American, and global politics from a Canadian perspective.

Edward Clayton grew up in the US but has lived in Canada for the last 4 decades. He is a long time peace activist and committed to issues of social justice and good government. He reports on Canadian, American, and global politics from a Canadian perspective.